Hello and welcome to the football.london dedicated Arsenal blog! July is here and that means the new campaign is on its way, with Mikel Arteta set to step up his preparations for pre-season in north London.
The Spaniard will certainly want to strengthen his squad this summer after missing out on the Premier League title on the final day of the season. The Gunners continue to be linked with some big names but, for now, it's unclear whether or not Edu will splash the cash.
Last year, they forked out almost a quarter of billions pounds on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber alone. After heavily investing in two midfielders and a defender, maybe Arteta may look to sign a striker this summer?
Victor Osimhen continues to be mooted with a move to the English top flight, but his price tag could prove to be a stumbling block for lots of clubs. Viktor Gyokeres is also linked whilst there is talk of Italy and Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.
Marc Guehi is another name closely spoken of with the club, as is Joshua Kimmich. Even former defender Shkodran Mustafi has been touted with a potential return as a coach.
So, with that being said, stay with us at football.london as we keep you up to date on all things Arsenal!
Amie Wilson
Fresh Alexander Isak hint
Newcastle United have dropped another hint that they are determined to keep Alexander Isak amid Arsenal links.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Sweden international in recent months, with the speculation intensifying in the last few days.
Newcastle signed Isak two years ago from Real Sociedad in a deal reportedly worth more than £60 million, and the striker has been linked with a move away from St James' Park thanks to his form.
Read more here.
Amie Wilson
Vikto Gyokeres update
Fabrizio Romano has given the latest on Arsenal's interest in Sporting Clube de Portugal's striker Viktor Gyokeres. The Gunners have been linked throughout the summer, it's a situation that is fluid, according to the journalist.
He told GIVEMESPORT:
“I think it could be an interesting situation for all the clubs looking for strikers around Europe, and not only Europe, maybe also with Saudi for example. I still remember last summer, there was strong interest from Saudi for Victor Osimhen. So for both Gyokeres and Osimhen, the situation is quite interesting. For Gyokeres, Sporting still want a release clause. They want a package of €100m (£85m) for Victor Gyokeres.
"This is an expensive deal, and this is why Arsenal have shown interest in the recent months but, at the moment, are still not advancing, because they want to understand how much is going to be the final package. We know that sometimes, in the market, the price can change. In June, you have a price, and then in July and August, it can change. So let's see what Arsenal will decide to do.”
Amie Wilson
Riccardo Calafiori admission
Bologna director Giovanni Sartori has given an update on the future of Riccardo Calafiori, who has been linked with a move to Arsenal.
He said, via Fabrizio Romano: "I think he will not end uo joining Juventus."
"Probably he can go abroad, in case we decide to sell him..."
"We'd like to keep Calafiori so let's see what happens."
Amie Wilson
David Raya deal 'complete'
Arsenal have formally activated the option to buy clause in the loan deal for goalkeeper David Raya, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Raya spent last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium from Brentford and has a £27 million option to make the deal permanent.
Amie Wilson
Full pre-season schedule so far
Arsenal have announced the latest of their pre-season fixtures today with the Gunners taking on fellow Premier League side Bournemouth. It's the fifth pre-season game that has been confirmed.
Here's a run down of the full pre-season fixture list so far:
Weds July 24, Vs Bournemouth (Dignity Health Sports Park, LA), 03.30 Kick off.
Sunday, July 28, Vs Manchester United (Sofi Stadium, LA), 01:00 kick off.
Thurs Aug 1, Vs Liverpool (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia), 00:30 kick off.
Weds Aug 7, Vs Bayer Leverkusen (Emirates Stadium), 18:00 kick off.
Sun Aug 11, Vs Lyon (Emirates Stadium), 14:00 kick off.
Amie Wilson
Eddie Nketiah verdict
Former Arsenal man Alan Smith has delivered his verdict on Arsenal potentially cashiing in on academy graduate Eddie Nketiah this summer.
Speaking to Prime Casino, he said:
"Eddie Nketiah is another one who has climbed up through the ranks. I’ve got a lot of time for him; he's a good finisher. He’s another player who a club would think could do a job and score 15 goals at least in the Premier League.
"He's probably capable of doing that and would fetch good money as well. You never like to lose these academy products because you've put all this care, attention and love into them only to wave them goodbye.
"It’s a bit of a sad time when you sell an academy player, but it's just business at the end of the day and you can’t let your emotions get in the way."
Amie Wilson
Bayern 'agree terms' with Arsenal target
Bayern Munich have reportedly agreed terms with Arsenal target Xavi Simons with negotiations ongoing over an agreement with PSG.
Sky Sports Netherlands report that an agreement has been reached between Bayern and the player. Although Red Bull Leipzig, where the midfielder spent last season on loan are still not out of the race.
Arsenal are one of the clubs to also be linked with an interest throughout the season.
Simons is currently on international duty, representing the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
Amie Wilson
Saliba helps France to Euro 2024 last 8
William Saliba has helped France into the quarter-final of Euro 2024 as they overcome Belgium 1-0.
An own goal from Jan Vertonghen in the 85th minute ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides. Saliba played the full 90 minutes to help France keep the all important clean sheet.
Leandro Trossard was an unused substitute for Belgium.
France will now play the winners of Portugal vs Slovenia on Friday, 5 July.
Amie Wilson
Arsenal man 'set' to sign for new club
Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is 'set to' join La Liga Sevilla on a season long loan, according to TEAMtalk.
The report says that the player agreed terms with the club over a temporary switch last week with the deal now set to be given the go ahead.
He spent last season on loan with Luton Town but could not help the Hatters avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Amie Wilson
Osimhen offer
There are some reports that Chelsea have made the first move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, amid reports linking Arsenal with an interest in the Nigerian.
According to Damiano Er Faina on X (Formerly Twitter), the Blues have offered €40 million plus Romelu Lukaku and Cesare Casadei.
Amie Wilson
Riccardo Calafiori 'discussed'
Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori has been 'discussed internally' by Arsnal as a potential target this summer.
They do however face competition from Chelsea and Juventus who are both also looking at the Italian international as a potential option. Calafiori has been representing Italy at Euro 2024, but the nations exit this week could free him up to make a move.
Amie Wilson
Saliba starts for France
France take on Belgium in the Euro 2024 round of 16 tie this afternoon (5pm kick-off), and thereis plenty of Arsenal involvement.
Defender William Saliba has been named in the starting line-up for France, while Leandro Trossard starts on the bench fir Belgium.
Amie Wilson
Good afternoon Arsenal fans
Hello Arsenal fans and good afternoon, my name is Amie and I will be taking you through this afternoon and evening bringing you the latest news and rumours from around the Emirates Stadium.
The transfer window is really starting to crank up now with the unofficial deadlinem which led to a flurry of activity, passed.
Before we get stuck into more news and rumours, here's some of the biggest stories from today that you may have missed.
Arsenal confirm double exit as brutal Mikel Arteta transfer plan continues
Arsenal 'confirm' first summer transfer window signing after club admission
Arsenal receive £60m transfer warning amid Edu's Aston Villa, Chelsea and Newcastle lesson
Kieran Horn
Kimmich reveals Bayern contact
Joshua Kimmich has revealed he recently was sent messages by Bayern Munich chiefs Max Eberl and Christoph Freund.
The 29-year-old midfielder is expected to leave Bayern either this summer or in 2025, once his contract expires. Arsenal are one of the many clubs interested in a potential transfer with Manchester City and Liverpool the other Premier League teams Kimmich would be willing to join.
With that in mind, Kimmich was on press duty for Germany ahead of their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Spain where he revealed contact from Bayern, but not regarding anything to do with his future.
"No, there wasn't," Kimmich said when asked if Bayern made contact with him following the release of a ZDF documentary where he described his relationship with the club as 'destroyed'. "Max Eberl and Christoph Freund texted me and congratulated me about the win, but we didn't speak about the documentary."
Kieran Horn
First Arsenal summer signing 'confirmed'
Arsenal look to have confirmed the signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
Raya joined the Gunners last summer on a season-long loan to provide competition to Aaron Ramsdale. However, it soon became clear that the Spanish goalkeeper was seen as No.1 by Mikel Arteta, and the England international was pushed down the pecking order.
As part of the loan deal, there was an option included to allow for a £27m permanent transfer in the summer of 2024. This was not seen as an obligation to buy, though, and Arsenal could have chosen not to activate the clause.
However, that does not look to be the case with a major hint dropped on the club's official website that showed two major changes.
Click here to read more
Kieran Horn
Arsenal sent Pedro Neto transfer message
Arsenal have been sent a clear transfer message regarding long-standing target Pedro Neto with the expectation that he will leave Wolves this summer.
Speaking to OLBG, former Wolves man Don Goodman said:“I think Pedro Neto could go to any of the big clubs - he's that good. Wolves fans are resigned to the fact they will lose him, with respect to them.
“Neto is a top-level player and Wolves can't lay claim to being one of those clubs right now. You have to grab the football opportunities with both hands and embrace the chances to develop your career and play at the highest level - and that means the Champions League. He's that good.
“It's promising to hear him talk about how much he loves the club, fans, and the area. He's very settled and he'll have to revisit that in the summer.
“Arsenal are the ones who are linked with him, but I'd be very surprised if most of the big teams aren’t keeping an eye on him. He's been sensational.
“I used to commentate on Wolves games when Neto was at his peak, before his injury, and the thing that struck me was his intentions on the ball. He always wanted to beat players, create chances, and put crosses in.
“Players make safer choices with the ball these days as there's a big onus on keeping it, rather than trying to hurt opponents with your quality. The flipside of that is that you might give the ball away. Neto's decision-making, choices, and will to hurt opponents really struck me.
“Neto lost that when was recovering from his injury, but Gary O'Neil has given him a bit of love, and we've got the old Neto back. He's sensational, and he belongs at the very top.”
Kieran Horn
Arsenal lose out on Gray transfer
Arsenal have lost the Archie Gray transfer race to Tottenham with their bitter rivals set to sign the Leeds United star.
Spurs have agreed to pay in the region of £40million, though with Joe Rodon expected to go the other way, it will only really cost the Lilywhites roughly £25million.
Arsenal were among the Premier League clubs to show an interest in the versatile teenager, though it looks like Mikel Arteta will have to look elsewhere for defensive depth.
Kieran Horn
Arsenal get brutal Isak transfer message
Alan Shearer has admitted he would be amazed if Arsenal transfer target Alexander Isak left Newcastle this summer.
The Gunners have been linked to the Swedish striker for some time, though Newcastle's triple-figure asking price always made it difficult to imagine that a deal would be achieved.
With the June 30 PSR deadline having passed, it is now even more unlikely that the Magpies sell with Shearer also of that belief.
Speaking to Betfair, he said: "I’m not that worried. I don’t think he’ll leave. I don’t think it can happen. Newcastle supporters would go mad if it happened. What he’s brought to Newcastle and how good a player he is.
"I’ve seen the reports and I don’t think there’s anything in that at all. I’d be amazed, angry and disappointed if he left Newcastle."
Kieran Horn
Arsenal impacted by Man United transfer decision
Arsenal could see all the pieces fall perfectly in their pursuit of Riccardo Calafiori courtesy of a Manchester United transfer decision.
Both clubs, alongside Liverpool, are looking to sign a new centre-back with Lery Yono and Calafiori the two main names linked. However, United appear to have turned their attention to Matthijs de Ligt with Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg reporting they are in contact with Bayern Munich to seal a permanent transfer.
United going for De Ligt could free up Liverpool to strike a deal for Yoro with Real Madrid not keen on paying his asking price. Therefore, if the best-case scenario plays out, the Gunners could find themselves with a free run at Calafiori as Juventus continue to delay.
Kieran Horn
Arsenal sent Williams transfer instruction
Former Arsenal man Gilberto Silva has sent a clear Nico Williams transfer message to Mikel Arteta.
In an exclusive interview courtesy of bet365’s Copa America coverage, Silva said: "I want to see every good player at Arsenal and Nico Williams would be interesting, but I want to see more at Euro 2024. But he does play in the same position as Gabriel Martinelli.
“Williams had a great season to be linked to a club like Arsenal because they have done something great. I'm sure they are going to improve in some areas. I don't know which one, but probably there's some areas they might improve in."
Kieran Horn
Arsenal confirm double exit
Arsenal have announced that Amario Cozier-Duberry and Reuell Walters have both left the club at the end of their contracts.
Both players were included in several of Mikel Arteta's matchday squads last season though neither made an appearance with the two academy graduates now moving onto new pastures.
Kieran Horn
Victor Osimhen transfer latest
Arsenal have been sent the latest on summer transfer target Victor Osimhen.
The Napoli star is still expected to leave this summer with the Gunners a potential destination alongside Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
With the transfer window now open in Italy, Arsenal have been reminded of Osimhen's stance, courtesy of transfer guru Fabrizio Romano....
Kieran Horn
Arsenal receive £175m transfer green light
Arsenal's summer transfer window could finally kick into life with Mikel Arteta and Edu handed four big updates. The Gunners have been linked to numerous names since the trading period opened in England a few weeks ago, though Euro 2024 is currently the priority for most players.
Joshua Kimmich, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Amadou Onana and Johan Bakayoko are just a few players at the tournament to have been linked to Arsenal.
Of those names, Calafiori is the only to have been eliminated after Italy were beaten by Switzerland on Saturday.
However, even if a player of interest was knocked out of the group stages or not even at the tournament, it was highly unlikely Arsenal could have made anything official, though that has now changed.
Click here to read more
Kieran Horn
Calafiori to Arsenal transfer hint
Riccardo Calafiori remains one name of strong interest to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Contact from Emirates Stadium was made last week, though that was only to understand conditions over a potential deal.
Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Chelsea have all been linked to the 22-year-old, though it could be the latter and Arsenal that make big moves soon, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
On his Here We Go Podcast, Romano said: “Keep an eye on Arsenal and Chelsea for Riccardo Calafiori, it’s still an open race.”
Kieran Horn
Arteta's four biggest Arsenal transfer jobs
Unlike many sides across the top two divisions in England, Arsenal have not been particularly busy so far this summer. Still in the early days of the 2024 summer transfer window, there is little to speak of.
The closest they have come to doing meaningful business was with Benjamin Sesko and even that was wrapped up before the European Championship even started. Although there is no scramble to the June 30 profitability and sustainability rules (PSRs) deadline, there is work to be done in the coming months.
It is expected to ramp up quickly, though, with plenty still to be done. Pre-season will come round sooner rather than later; the first game (of sorts) is now just two weeks away when an Arsenal XI takes on Boreham Wood, while the tour of America is already on the horizon.
Having been active in their business 12 months ago, Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar will be keen to show their planning skills and efficiency again. With that in mind, here, football.london looks at the four biggest jobs to be done.
Click here to read what needs to be done at Emirates Stadium
Kieran King
Calafiori targeted
Arsenal are keeping a close eye on Riccardo Calafiori and are weighing up whether to make a move this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano.
Calafiori impressed for Italy at Euro 2024 and has attracted interest from the likes of Juventus, Arsenal and other clubs. The 22-year-old is expected to leave Bologna despite guiding them into the Champions League for the first time.
Kieran Horn
Kimmich 'makes' Arsenal transfer decision
Arsenal transfer target Joshua Kimmich has decided the club he wants to join if he leaves Bayern Munich this summer, it has been claimed. The Germany international sees his contract at Allianz Arena expire in 2025, with new manager Vincent Kompany having plans for his midfield that do not include Kimmich.
For the last eight years, the versatile 29-year-old has been at the centre of Bayern's success, but they now risk losing him for nothing. With a possible extension not appearing on the cards, interested clubs could strike a bargain deal for as little as £30million, being firmly aware of the position Bayern find themselves in.
According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, the Gunners are joined by Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona as the only clubs Kimmich is willing to join. Further to that point, it has now been revealed which of those clubs Kimmich is pushing for.
Click here to read more
Kieran King
Arsenal windfall
Arsenal are set to receive a hefty windfall from Omari Hutchinson's move from Chelsea to Ipswich.
The 20-year-old, who left the Gunners to make the switch across to west London in 2022, has joined Ipswich on a permanent deal worth around £22m. But reports have emerged suggesting Arsenal inserted a 15 to 20 per cent sell-on clause in his contract, meaning they are set to pick up between £3.3m and £4.4m.
Kieran King
Bakayoko focus
PSV Eindhoven star Johan Bakayoko has dismissed rumours linking him with a move to Arsenal this summer. Bakayoko is currently representing Belgium at Euro 2024 and has claimed his full focus is on the tournament.
"I never said I want to leave PSV, others have done that in my place. If something comes up, you have to think about it, but now is not the time. I’m not thinking about a transfer here, I’m thinking about how I can do my best here," he said.
"I have to be honest. I’m more concerned with playing more here than a transfer. I’m thinking about how I can do my best even more or prove myself to the coach even more. That transfer, that’s for after [the Euros]."
Kieran King
Morning
Hello and welcome to our live Arsenal transfer blog on this fine Monday morning.
Stay tuned for the latest updates from the Emirates...
